I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 326 Sometimes, one-sided facts can mislead most people's judgment.

"He's slandering me! He's slandering me!"

As soon as the Great Toad Sage spoke, Tatsuma clearly felt several pairs of eyes locking onto him. He looked at Jiraiya, who was equally astonished, and said loudly.

He came to Mount Myōboku only to give Jiraiya face, but as soon as he arrived, before they could even exchange two words, he was suddenly slandered and defamed. Who could withstand that?

After a brief moment of astonishment, Jiraiya's expression became incredibly complex, but he still looked at the Great Toad Sage and defended Tatsuma:

"Great Toad Sage, isn't there some misunderstanding here? I've watched Tatsuma grow up since he was a child. He's certainly not a perfect person, but to say he's a calamity is an exaggeration."

I absolutely disagree. He's not that kind of person. Besides, if he were, how could the Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest have taught him Sage Mode?

"His Sage Mode has the feel of Shikkotsu Forest, but it is not entirely Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Mode. Perhaps, his Sage Mode was not taught by Shikkotsu Forest at all."

Fukasaku's face showed a human-like worry and scrutiny. Tatsuma did not refute it. After all, his Sage Mode was not taught by the toads of Shikkotsu Forest. At least so far, it was either an accident or something he figured out on his own.

In Sage Mode, Tatsuma's senses were extremely sharp. After Fukasaku finished speaking, his gaze quickly fell on the small toad. Almost simultaneously, the Sage Chakra within both of them was activated.

"Boom!"

Even more impressively, Tatsuma was a step ahead, his chakra exploding instantly under the power of his superhuman strength technique, his body enveloped in a semi-transparent chakra cloak.

Jiraiya, standing beside him, was thrown back a few steps by the shockwave. Regaining his senses, he quickly stepped between Tatsuma and Fukasaku, spreading his arms to stop them, shouting, "Stop!"

"Hahaha~ Little Jiraiya, you're not capable of stopping those two right now."

The Great Toad Sage spoke again, looking at Jiraiya, and said, "You've wasted these past few years. Your junior has grown to a level you can no longer match. No, it seems we'll have to wait a few more years; I've gotten it mixed up again."

Jiraiya was first stunned, then relaxed, and finally looked incredulous. The Great Toad Sage meant that in a few years at most, Tatsuma would be an opponent he could not match.

It's not that I surpassed him, but that he was unmatched.

But at this moment, Tatsuma had no interest in listening to the Great Toad Sage's praise. His scarlet eyes, surrounded by the sage's mask, were still warily watching Fukasaku, who had the same expression.

Until the Great Toad Sage said, "Alright, don't make things difficult for our guests from Mount Myōboku."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fukasaku's thick, messy eyebrows twitched, but he managed to calm down the Sage Chakra he had already mobilized. However, he still looked at Tatsuma with obvious wariness in his eyes.

Chenma looked up at the Great Toad Sage, who was speaking somewhat irresponsibly, and said, "Great Toad Sage, I think there are some things that need to be clarified."

If I were to unjustly bear such a false accusation, perhaps it would be through persecution and constant resistance that I would ultimately become the calamity you speak of.

Upon hearing Tatsuma's words, Jiraiya's expression darkened. Tatsuma meant that he wouldn't take the initiative, or rather, he didn't want to become a calamity for the ninja world. However, if pushed too far, he wouldn't surrender easily, even if it meant becoming a calamity for the ninja world.

Fukasaku, who also understood Tatsuma's implication, became increasingly serious. This was the first time he had interacted with Tatsuma; he had only heard about him from Jiraiya or Minato before.

In their eyes, Tatsuma was an exemplary ninja, but now it seems that's not the case.

Sakamoto Tatsuma lacked both Jiraiya's enthusiasm and Minato's sunny disposition. Compared to these two, and other humans favored by Mount Myōboku in the past, Tatsuma lacked something.

A sense of belief.

In reality, the lack of a strong sense of conviction to drive one's entire life is the norm for most humans, but most humans do not have the ability to influence the ninja world based on whether or not they possess a sense of conviction.

But this boy in front of him was different. His talent, ability, and the fact that he didn't show any reverence when facing the sacred land made Fukasaku feel that he was very dangerous, in terms of the ninja world.

"Haha~"

The Great Toad Sage ignored Tatsuma's hint and, after easing the tension with laughter, said, "I'm just stating what I saw. If you'd like to hear more, I don't mind telling you more."

In the future, the tree that devoured the entire ninja world will grow again on the land of the ninja world. When the blood moon descends, it will once again devour humanity, and you will be that tree.

Tatsuma narrowed his eyes. What the Great Toad Sage was talking about should be the Divine Tree, but the person the Divine Tree transformed into, or rather the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails, should be Obito Uchiha, Madara Uchiha, or Kaguya.

What does this have to do with Sakamoto Tatsuma? He's not even interested in becoming a Jinchuriki of a Tailed Beast, so how could he possibly become the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki?

He shook his head, his tone filled with skepticism, and said, "I don't know why Jiraiya-sensei would believe your nonsense, and for so many years. But if you want me to believe your endless lies, wait until I'm mentally impaired."

The blunt words caused Fukasaku and the other toads in the hall to show their anger. Jiraiya also frowned, wanting to say something, but the Great Toad Sage remained smiling and said:

"You don't need to be too wary of me. Actually, I can't do anything except talk. If you don't want to believe it, then just consider it a silly dream I had."

"I hope your descendants will also consider this your foolish dream. I think Mount Myōboku won't welcome me any longer. Jiraiya-sensei, please send me back to the Land of Fire."

After Tatsuma finished speaking, he looked at Jiraiya. Having just wasted some Sage Chakra again, he once again felt the instability of the energy within his body and needed to find a "safe" place.

In Sage Mode, the body's energy is not balanced until it is exhausted; at least, Tatsuma cannot do that at this stage.

Although Sage Chakra is a mixed energy, it consumes one's own chakra when consuming natural energy. However, he has not yet learned to skillfully absorb natural energy, so the loss of natural energy in his body cannot be replenished.

However, his physical and mental energy can be replenished and changed. When this part of the energy is uncontrollably fused with Sage Chakra, it will cause an imbalance and loss of control of the energy.

These are things he can only solve after he has become familiar with and proficient in Sage Mode.

Tatsuma wasn't sure if anyone else had noticed the subtle imbalance within his body, but he still didn't want to stay any longer.

Jiraiya looked at the Great Toad Sage with some embarrassment, but the Great Toad Sage had already closed his eyes and was nodding his huge head, as if he had fallen asleep.

He then looked at Fukasaku, who made no comment, and the resistance on his face did not subside, confirming Tatsuma's words.

Jiraiya thought for a moment and then said, "I'll take Tatsuma back to the Land of Fire first. There might have been some misunderstandings about what happened today, but I believe we'll figure it out in the future. Goodbye."

As he spoke, he activated the summoning spell he had left in the Land of Fire. Smoke rose, and the two disappeared.

Reappearing by the hot spring, Jiraiya looked at the relaxed Tatsuma, his mouth opening and closing. After thinking for a moment, he finally said:

"The Great Toad Sage's prophecies are not comprehensive, but they are still quite accurate. I don't think he's talking nonsense; it's just that sometimes, partial facts can mislead most people's judgments."

I believe you're not that kind of person, but I also believe the Great Toad Sage wasn't speaking without reason. Perhaps we'll understand in the future.

Tatsuma nodded and said, "Then, Jiraiya-sensei, I won't bother you any longer while you're searching for inspiration. Of course, I personally despise your behavior. If you get caught in the future, don't say I know you."

Stop being hypocritical; we're on the same page!

Jiraiya pretended to be angry, then both of them smiled, expressing that what happened at Mount Myōboku would not affect their relationship.

Tatsuma's smile slowly faded, and after looking around, he said, "Then goodbye, Jiraiya-sensei."

"Okay, goodbye."

Jiraiya waved his hand, then turned to look at the hot spring. He had booked the entire day and still had several hours left; he shouldn't waste them, but...

After touching the telescope, Jiraiya felt somewhat bored. He turned around, wanting to chat with Tatsuma for a bit, but found that Tatsuma had already disappeared.

In Konoha, Tatsuma had just appeared and hadn't even had time to figure out his direction when he felt a chill on his neck.

"Ninjas from Kirigakure?"

Upon hearing this cold, stern voice, Tatsuma raised an eyebrow and said, "Lord Sakumo, take a good look at my unique hairstyle."

Sakumo Hatake was taken aback. His first reaction was that the enemy was using a trick, since this chakra didn't seem to be Tatsuma's chakra.

"Haha~ You said you came to help me give some pointers to the younger generation, but you yourself can't even tell friend from foe, Sakumo."

A deep, honest voice rang out. Sakumo Hatake sheathed his short sword, White Fang, and Tatsuma turned around to look. Akimichi Torifu was pulling at his collar, seemingly feeling hot.

But it was already October, and Konoha had become cool, so it was strange that it still felt hot.

Beside Akimichi Torifu was a thin, listless-looking boy. After a while, Tatsuma recognized him and said in surprise, "Choza?"

Ding Zuo laboriously lifted his eyelids and pursed his lips slightly as a response.

"Why are you back? And what about your face, and your chakra?"

Sakumo Hatake interrupted their greeting and went straight to the point. Tatsuma shrugged and said, "Just a hidden method."

As he spoke, he clasped his hands together and slowly expelled the natural energy from his body. The sage mask on his face faded until it disappeared, and the aura of chakra on his body finally returned to the state that Hatake Sakumo was familiar with.

But his eyes were still full of doubt. Some memories seemed to be jumping around in his mind, but he just couldn't grasp them. Akimichi Torifu's sly smile turned serious.

However, he didn't say anything, but patted Hatake Sakumo on the shoulder to divert his attention and said, "Sakumo, don't disturb Tatsuma while he's on his mission."

"You've trained Ding for so long today, as your elder, I should repay you. Let's take your son and go get some barbecue!"

Upon hearing this, Hatake Sakumo hadn't even reacted yet, but Choza, who had been listless, suddenly perked up, and his eyes, which had previously shown signs of death, regained their light.

Seeing this, Hatake Sakumo knew he couldn't refuse, otherwise he was truly afraid that Choza would die in front of him. He glanced one last time at Tatsuma's attire, guessed the purpose of his return, nodded, and said:

"Okay, Tatsuma, be careful."

"Um."

Tatsuma waved his hand, used the Flying Thunder God Technique again to leave, appeared outside the Hokage's office, and jumped in through the window.

"Lord Hokage, is Shikaku not here today?"

"Bang bang bang~"

Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed the table, scattering things all over the floor. His face flushed red as he covered the crystal ball, then looked at Tatsuma and said, "Ahem~ I sent him off to do some business. As for you..."

"How's the mission going? Tsunade said it's progressed to the point where we can send in intelligence agents."

Tatsuma nodded, too lazy to ask what Hiruzen Sarutobi had just been doing, and replied, "Well, after I explain the situation in the Land of Water to them, I can arrange for them to enter."

"Thank you for your hard work. By the way, go find Shikaku; he's arranging this."

"Well then, Lord Hokage, I'll take my leave now."

With that, Tatsuma jumped out of the window, and Hiruzen Sarutobi began to pant heavily. After a while, he lifted the cloth covering the crystal ball and looked at it again.

"By the way, Hokage-sama."

Tatsuma suddenly climbed in through the window again.

"Bang bang bang~"

Many more things have been implemented.

(End of this chapter)